As I recall it was pouring rain outside, having taken the subway from the Bronx with my high school buddy Steve, then to the LIRR and somehow from the train station to Nassau, for our first Dead show. And what a start. The Sons of Champlin were scheduled to open, but had to cancel out. So the NRPS filled in. The stars were indeed aligned this night. Europe '72 was just out and after the Bill Graham intro the band kicked into "Chinacat/Rider" then "Jack Straw". I was already blown away. I remember standing on the floor not far from the stage, light shining off a crystal ball overhead, and the Dead doing an amazing 30 minute "Dark Star" then "Morning Dew." It was an incredible night, and don't ask me how we got home. Thank you GD.
Two nights later was at the Felt Forum for the NRPS (Ramblin Jack Elliot opening) show, with Garcia, Keith, Weirt, Donna joining for most of the show, including a bluegrass set in the intermission with Garcia on banjo. Incredible.

I’d give this show 4 and a half stars. It’s the first time the Dead introduced the Feelin’ Groovy Jam into the China->Rider Sandwich that would remain intact until their late ’74 hiatus. After Bill Graham’s introduction, the suite explodes like a mule kicking open a barn door. And the boys just keep the groove...The first set offers up the best Birdsong of 1973–this side of 6/22/73 of course. But it also serves up fine renditions of many a first set “warm-up” numbers. But they ain’t warm… they’re hot! And there’s a lot of fun stage banter to boot, as well. The crown jewel is the first set closer. Playin’ in the Band really hit its stride by fall of the previous year (8/27, 11/18), but the Playin’s in the first shows of ’73 maintained that energy. Virtually every one played in February of this year smoked, but so does this one! The band is just brimming with urgency and ideas here. so much so, it actually trumps the wonderful second set that opens with a nice Promised->Bertha->Greatest. The DS is stellar, although not a top 5 for the year imho. The Truckin’->MD to follow doesn’t disappoint. Get this one–the best night of three in Nassau!

Hard to believe this concert happened over 42 years ago! What a find--hearing this after all these years, it brings back many vivid memories. I was 15 years old and it was my first concert--5th row by the isle center..The collection of songs recorded reminds me how peaceful and respectful crowd was, the audience was focused on the show as you can hear in the background in this archive. Based on videos of what I've seen from shows after this one, that evening was exceptionally intimate for those on the floor....to me, a magical and noteworthy concert indeed!

My first Dead Show. Went with my brother and his girlfriend (Gail) and my friend Dave. Overall a crazy night. If I am not mistaken, this was the night that >40 people were arrested at the Coliseum. The Dead didn't go back there for a few years afterwards.
1 bit of trivia, the cover of Neil Young's "Time Fades Away" album is a concert audience photo (with a Rose on the stage) actually taken at this show. You can clearly see my friend Dave in the 2nd row.

my favorite year, my favorite lineup, i have allotta regrets about some of the choices i made in my youth, the dead was never one of them.

What an amazing show. great '73 setlist. highlights include PITB, DEMI, Dark Star>Truckin'>Morning Dew just to name a few. Worth the download. One of my favorite shows I've heard so far.

I love the stage banter before LLR. "All you people throwing joints up on stage" etc... Hilarious.
A+ show all around. Been listening to this one since '88.
Anyone who doesn't appreciate how AWESOME Bob Weir is needs to listen to this China > Rider transition. (or any '72-'74 transition).

Good stuff for all Deadheads. The Playin' is a typical 73' mind melting jam and Dark Star takes off and lands without too many bumps. Everyone seems on despite the loss of Pig Pen.

Another fantastic show from a killer year...
Once again Playin' kicks ass
And all this while mourning for Pigpen, wow.

Keyword: Incredible.

The Dead take the stage without their beloved Pig, still in shock, but "the show must go on." As often happens after such events, the band turns in a focused, emotional performance with their hearts leading the way in stunning tribute to their fallen friend.

great show, really put me to sleep (in a good way). i never liked Looks Like Rain much till i listened to this one, its so pretty. i especially like the "pass the joint to your neighbor" banter. lol. havent finished the show yet but im gonna let it play while i hit the sack and its sweeeeet.

This show is a good one. The opener of China Cat Sunflower>I Know You Rider is a real good and sets the tone for this show. And the not played often enough Box Of Rain is always a joy to hear. For me this show really starts to kick in during the Playin' In The Band jam. For some reason the drums on this really drives it home and makes it impossible to not listen. And of course the Dark Star-> Truckin'-> Morning Dew, Sugar Magnolia is just played phenomenally. Listen to the drumming during the Dark Star jam, it's a cool ride cymbal, primal beat thing going on and when they kick into Truckin' they are locked in with each other. The big chords everyone hits together right after Jerry's solo really peak the song nicely. I really felt satisfied listening to this show. They played their asses off on this one. Boogie with Stew.

If there's a better dialogue between Bob and Jerry than during this jam, I really want to hear it. Not to mention the rest of 'em.....

I have got to say apart from the Boston Garden 5-7-77 show i have, this is one of my favorites... Jerrys guitar playing is amazing and his voice still sounds real fresh, nothing bad I can say about it, I even greatly enjoyed Donna. Then to top it off with one of the most disgusting displays of a jam I have ever heard them lay down, in the Playin In The Band, it's nuts to hear them completly unravel the music in the middle and bring it all together again in the end. Plus I have to comment on Bobby's guitar playin is absolutly astonishing, as well as everyone else. Left me in awe.

It has your basic jerry pschedelic exploratory 73~74 guitar solos but, the real cool part is right 13:00 min's into song. Phil and Jerry do some nice work.
5 show
4 sound
+
________

= fat73

The set list looks great. The reviews are awesome, but I can't hear more than 25 seconds without buffering. If I can't download the set, can I buy it somewhere? If I can't buy it, then I don't understand why I couldn't download it.

First set is pretty average for '73 that is to say it is above average. What sets it apart is the Playin. In a year of smokers this is a ripper. Loser is great. Cool at the end of Truckin to hear the small aud snippet people seem really into it. Jer crushes it on M'Dew.

anyone notice the St. Stephen lick in Greatest Story Ever Told? :D my personal favorite, don't know if anyone's mentnioned it

No seems to have mentioned how cool this loser is. Jerry gets super excited after the solo, and just belts out a second chorus sweet suzie. It's awesome.
Whole shows great though, another notable and underated part I think is the The Promised Land>Bertha>Greatest Story Section, it's really intense energywise and the dead at their most rockin' by traditional standards this show. However I love all of this show from start to finish, China>Rider, Ramble On, TLEO, Row Jimmy, Playin', Truckin', Dew, Sugar Magnolia all great.

Note to skywasyellowandthesunwasblue - Bill says "from California, the Grateful Dead" - i.e., he introduces them using their home state.

Nice recording of a good performance (good performances?). Any time I see Betty Reels as a source guess I'm downloading the recording (duh). Why does Bill Graham say before China Cat, "San Francisco, the Grateful Dead," if this show was performed in New York? Guess I have to check Deadbase.

Show is unavailable for download on 4/5/05. Hopefully this is a short-term problem soon corrected. If not, I can upload a cassette copy of the show. My copy is okay, not great. If a better copy does not become available and you want a copy, get in touch with me at pikeporter@yahoo.com and I'll try and upload my copy. Its a good show.

My first show to review that I didn't attend. I'll get the blasphmey out of the way first. I prefer the one drummer format, and this show is a great example of that. My first dozen or so shows had Billy only and I consider it a purer form of the Dead. And, even though I've long considered Phil to be the best backbone in rock, jazz and modern improvisational music, I wish he wouldn't sing. Even so, Box of Rain here is warm and rich. That song transends any interpretion. The whole sets mix is great and you can hear everyone, even Keith and Donna and the song selection is what became the classic Keith and Donna era set list. Robert Hunter wrote that he thought they should have mined the vein that produced Ramble on Rose, Tenessee Jed, Brown-Eyed Women, Jack Straw, and others to produce another classic American Roots LP like American Beauty and Workingmans Dead. I agree, and in this beautiful show from my idealized era, you can see why. Another reviewer wrote about They Love Each Other being funky and fresh, and it totally is. Extra lyrics and if you like this representation of the Dead, check out Goin' Down the Road from 9/28/75. Seriously loose and tight, very funky. In spite of Phil's flat vocal fills, play this for a skeptic to show them what real American Roots music is all about.

The Banter before looks like rain is classic, People were throwing Joints on stage, Jerry tells them to stop throwin them just smoke umm. Great stuff
Perfect sounding show

Seems like this is first china cat-->feeling groovy-->rider. Am I missing something?

When you look at this entire 5 night New York run, you can't help but know something magical is happening here. This show and the 22nd Utica show are my favs.
They open with a great China>Rider, Straw and close set 1 with a blistering Bird Song, Playin'. This Playin' is a real mind bender. After the 2nd chorus, Jerry immediately steps on the wah-wah and off we go. He finds a few nice grooves and before you know it, 20 minutes has expired. Set 2 also shines. Berth>Greatest is a real treat as is set closer Sugar Mags. However, the real fireworks occur during the Dark Star>Truckin>Dew segment. The noodling in Dark Star is sweet with all members in total sync and Jerry's voice during Dew is outright spooky.
This show is a real keeper from the Spring 1973 run.

One of those "Something for everyone" shows. Touches the many many worlds that existed in the band in this era. Once the sound mix come together (about a song and 1/2), you are left with a very good sounding show. Everyone is playing very well this night. Jerry and Keith sparring each other balance, brought on by Phil and espeically Billy. Billy seems to be in the deep zen of "I am listening to all you" even more so than normal on this date. His replies to everyone is special and very inspiring as you will listen if you download. Perhaps the ghost of Pigpen? ;)

I'm certainly not one to critique THE most "unique" band in the history of music, but I have to say this one really does it for me, I mean the sound is very goog, but the way Jer's git-fiddle sounds is just amazing, the rest of the band seems to follow, I for one have always been a Phil Phan, Bobby too, Jerry was just a given, I suppose, but to me, this show has it all, w/ much exploratory jamming and heavy quietness (?) at times, lovely.